Lamp socket



y 1957 H. F. LONGNECKER 2,801,397

LAMP SOCKET Filed Jan 5, 1955 FIGJ.

ATTORNE S United States Patent LAMP SOCKET Harry F. Longnecker, Royal Oak, Mich., assignor to Watts Electric. & Mfg. Co., Birmingham, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Application January 3, 1955, Serial No. 479,465

Claims. (Cl. 339-126) The present invention relates to a socket and more particularly, a lamp or bulb socket intended to be mounted in an opening provided in a mounting panel.

It is an object of the present invention to provide socket structure characterized by the simplicity with which the socket may be mounted in an exactly predetermined position with reference to an opening in a mounting panel.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide socket structure adapted to provide firm and ade quate support for a bulb in the socket in an exactly predetermined location.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide socket structure adapted to provide an effective seal to prevent entrance of dirt, dust, or other foreign material into the interior of a lighting unit.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a socket structure characterized by design features permitting low production costs, improved performance, and extreme versatility.

It is a feature of the present invention to provide a bulb socket including a mounting ring and spring means on the socket cooperable therewith and with thering to effect resilient mounting of the socket in .a panel opening in a predetermined position and to provide a definite indication when the socket is moved to the predetermined position.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of a socket assembly mounted in a panel.

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the structure shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the socket rotated 90 degrees to an engaged position.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the locating ring used in the defined assembly.

Figure 5 is a sectional view on the line 55, Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the locating ring shown in Figures 4 and 5.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the spring ring employed in the socket assembly.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 88, Figure 3.

Figure 9 is a sectional view similar to Figure 8 showing a modification of the present invention.

. 66 adapted to receive the V-shaped heads of the spring Figure 10 is a plan view of a modified form of spring ring.

Figure 11 is a side elevation of the spring ring shown in Figure 10, partly in section.

Referring now to Figure 1 the construction relates to a socket assembly adapted to be mounted in an opening in a panel 10. As best seen in Figure 2, the opening 12 in the panel 10 is of generally circular configuration but at diametrically opposite areas is provided with laterally extending recesses 14 and 16. Preferably, for a purpose 2,801,397 Patented July 30, 1957 slots 22 and 24. It will be observed that the bayonet' slots 22 and 24 extend diflerent axial distances and this is for the purpose of insuring correct mounting of an electric bulb with its filament at an exactly predetermined position with reference to the socket.

The tubular socket 20 is adapted to receive a core (not shown) of usual type having one or more forwardly extending bulb contacts. The tubular socket 20 may be provided with radially inwardly extending projections struck out of the side thereof, such for example as those indicated at 26 against which the bottom end of the core member may seat.

Rigidly attached to the tubular socket 20 is a cup element 30 having adjacent its forward end a radially extending flange 32, a cylindrical flange 34, and a second radially extending abutment flange 36. The cup element 30 is provided with an opening 38 at its rear end through which may extend a reduced and correspondingly shaped portion of a core into which is attached the usual electrical conductor.

In order to prevent entry of dust into the interior. of the lighting unit, a dust cap orsheath 40 is provided which may be of rubber, resilient plastic, or the like,:and which includes a reduced neck portion 42 adapted to closely and sealingly engage the electrical conductor leading into the interior of the socket structure. The dust cap or sheath includes forward portions as indicated at 44 overlying radial extensions of the cup element so as to provide a firm mechanical lock between the sheath and remaining socket structure.

Firmly fixed to the tubular socket 20 forwardly of the cup element 30 is a spring ring 50. This ring is best illustrated in Figure 7 where it will be observed to include a cylindrical portion 52 by means of which it is firmly and permanently attached to the exterior surface of the tubular socket 20 in predetermined axially located position. The spring ring includes a radially extending flange 54 cut away to provide arcuate spring arms 56 each terminating in radially outwardly extending heads 58 including depressed V-shape portions 59.

Located intermediate the cup element 30 and the spring ring 50 is a locator ring 60, details of which are best illustrated in Figures 4-6. The locator ring 60 includes a radially extending flange 61 and a cylindrically extending tubular portion 62. Extending outwardly from the cylindrical portion are locating ears 63 and 64. The car 63 is dimensioned to fit closely within the recess 16 and the ear 64 is dimensioned to fit closely within the recess 14. Obviously, the ear 64 will not enter the smaller recess 16. Located in the ears 63 and 64 are axially extending notches 65 shaped to receive the V-shaped projections on the heads 58 so as to provide an indication when the heads are located in registration with the cars 63 and 64. Spaced circumferentially from the recesses or notches 65 are a pair of substantially deeper recesses arms 56 when the socket and spring sub-assembly has been turned approximately degrees with reference to the locator ring 60. The recesses 66 are of su'fficient depth so that when the V-shaped portions 59 of the heads 58 of the spring arms 56 are in the recesses 66, they may engage the inner surface of the panel 10 to resiliently retain the socket structure in assembled position.' It will be observed that corresponding sides of the notches or recesses 66 are inclined as indicated at 67 to permit the heads of the spring arms to be cammed out of'the recesses by rotation of the socket structure. The end sur- With the foregoing description in mind it is'belie'ved the operation of the socket structure is readily apparent. With the V-shaped portions 59 of the heads 58 f the spring arms 56 located in the notches 65 formed in the ears 63 and 64 of the locator ring, the socketassembly is moved through the opening 12 in the panel 10. Since the heads 58 of the spring arms are at this timein registration with the ears 63 and 64, they pass through the recesses 14 and 16 at opposite sides ofthe-opening. 'For ward movement of the socket assembly continues until the radially extending flange 61 of the locator ring engages the outer surface of the panel as clearly illustrated in Figure 1. At this time the socket is rotated by its rearwardly extending cup element 30. Rotation of the locator ring 60 is prevented since the ears 63 and 64 occupy the recesses 14 and 16. However, the socket 20, cup element 30, and the spring ring 50 rotate as a unit and the heads 58 of the spring ring move around the end surfaces of the cylindrical portion 62 of the locator ring until they reach the notches 66 and 67. The spring is so constructed and arranged and located on the socket, as to cause the spring arms 56 to be prestressed and to exert substantial pressure against the locator ring. When the heads 58 of the spring ring coincide with the notches 66 and 67 the spring arms snap inwardly towardthe rear side of. the panel into engagement with surface portions of the panel surrounding the opening 12 therein. This has the eflect of firmly supporting the socket structure in precisely predetermined position and also to indicate to the user that the socket is in predetermined position. More specifically, it will be observed that the axial position of the socket is determined by engagement between fiange 61 and the outer surface of the panel. Its angular position is determined first by the location of the cars 63 and 64 in the recesses 16 and 14 respectively, and secondly, by the predetermined rotation of the socket which was necessary to cause the heads 58 of the spring arms to coincide with the notches 66 and 67. It will be recalled that the bulb was also located in predetermined angular relationship to the socket and it there fore follows that the bulb socket is thus located in a predetermined position in space both with reference to the axial position and the angular position with respect to the opening.

Excellent results are obtained when the locator ring 60 is formed of a plastic material such for example as a suitable polyethylene. The use of this material provides a'veryefiective seal and also a desirable mounting of the socket structure in the opening.

'Referring now to Figure 9 there is illustrated a modified construction in which a locator ring is illustrated at 70 which may be identical with the locator ring 60 except for the provision of the radial flange 61. In this case a separate sealing ring or gasket '72 is provided. With this construction the sealing ring or gasket may be formed of soft neoprene, vinyl, rubber or the like while the locator ring 70 may be formed of hard Bakelite, die cast zinc, hard rubber or the like.

Referring now to Figures 10 and 11 there is illustrated a modified form of spring ring which may be formed from flat stock without the necessity of providing the tubular or cylindrical portion 52 seen in Figure 7. In this form of the invention the spring ring comprises a flat portion 80 having a central opening 82 formed therein. During the formation of the opening 42 by stamping or the like, ears 83 are left which in turn are provided with the cut out locking tabs 84, the cars 83 being bent to the position illustrated in Figure 11. At the same time the spring arm portions 86 are cut away as indicated at 87 and the end portions or heads 88 are shaped to extend radially outwardly to a point where they will overlap the edges of the circular opening 12 of the panel. The heads 88 will be bent to the V-shape previously described, as indicated at 89.

The drawings and the'for'egoing specification constitute a description of the improved lamp socket in such full, clear, concise and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, the scope of which is indicated by the appended claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. Socket structure for mounting in a plate having a circular opening provided with a pair of circumferentially spaced recesses at the sides of the opening, said socket structure comprising a socket, a locator ring rotatable on said socket and having ears shaped to enter and remain in the recesses, spring means secured to said socket havingheads shaped to pass through said recesses when in registration with said ears and to overlap the edges of the opening when rotated with said socket out of registration with said recesses.

2. Socket structure as defined in claim 1 in which said ears are provided with notches, and said heads are shaped to enter said notches to give a readily perceptible indication when said ears and heads are turned into registration.

3. Socket structure as defined in claim 1 in which said ring comprises a tubular portion adapted to extend through the plate opening and a radially extending flange adapted to abut one side of the panel to form a seal for the opening therein.

4. Socket structure as defined in claim 3 in which said flange extends radially beyond said ears.

5. Socket structure as defined in claim 1, said ears being disposed diametrically across said ring.

6. Socket structure as defined in claim 1 in which the recesses at the sides of the opening in the panel are of different size, and said ears are shaped to fit the recesses to permit insertion of said socket in only one angular position.

7. Socket structure as defined in claim 1 in which said locator ring is formed of a plastic material.

8. A socket construction comprising a cup, a tubular socket fixed to said cup, a spring ring fixedly secured on said socket having arcuate spring arms having radially extending heads, a locator ring rotatable on said socket between said cup and spring ring, and radially extending ears on said locator ring, said ears having axially extending notches adapted to receive said heads to locate said locator ring relative to said spring ring for insertion in an opening.

9. Socket structureas defined in claim 8, said locator ring havingaxially extending notches spaced from said ears and of greater depth than the notches in said ears to receive the heads of said spring ring.

10. Socket structure as defined in claim 3 in which the tubular portion of said locator ring has a pair of notches spaced from the notches in its ears to receive said heads, said pair of notches being of sufiicient depth to permit said heads to contact the inner surface of the plate.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,039,953 Fagan May 4, 1936 "2,572,813 Murphy Oct. 23, 1951 2,683,258 Churchill July 6, 1954 

